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Category: Writing Opportunities

A group of 21 media companies are looking for winter interns to aid their newspapers, magazines, niche publications and affiliated websites in their editorial departments.

Interns will achieve real world experience while gaining skills that will help them excel in post-graduate life. Our company has been in the publishing industry for over 40 years and practices all-local, community journalism. Our team of publishers and managers are experts in the industry and are equipped to expose interns to all aspects of our business, including print and digital writing, project management, business leadership and civic leadership.

Paid and unpaid positions for college credit available.

Winternships available in the editorial department only. Qualified candidates must have writing experience, a positive attitude, a good work ethic, a drive to make things better and an interest in community journalism. Journalism or English majors preferred. To apply, send resume, work samples and three references to the contact person listed at one of the locations below:

Note to Applicant: To be considered, applicants must submit resume, cover letter, and two writing samples with application. These materials may be sent to the School’s Communications Specialist Adrienne Nettles at anettles@ua.edu.

Job Summary: The Communications Student Assistant will assist with writing press releases and feature stories as well as graphic design, social media and producing content for the web. Applicants MUST have and maintain a minimum of 2.25 cumulative GPA to be considered. Must have strong writing skills; applicants with previous interviewing, writing, and editing experience preferred.

Additional Department Summary: The Communications Student Assistant will be primarily responsible for researching, interviewing, and writing news articles and profiles. In addition, the Communications Student Assistant will assist in taking photos, helping to compile mailing lists, designing publicity materials, assisting with annual fundraising events, and performing other tasks as assigned. Other duties may include greeting and directing guests and visitors, answering phones and routing calls, creating/updating documents and spreadsheets, filing, photocopying, and other tasks as assigned.

This position will start in Fall 2017.

Required Minimum Qualifications: Applicants MUST have and maintain a minimum 2.25 cumulative GPA to be considered for this position. To be considered, applicants should submit resume, cover letter, and two writing samples with application.

Skills and Knowledge: Applicants must have strong writing skills and excellent organizational skills. They must be dependable and punctual and be able to complete tasks and meet deadlines with minimal supervision. Applicants must have strong communication skills and the ability to interact and communicate in a professional manner with UA staff, faculty, alumni, and students.

Enrollment Requirements: Applicants must meet enrollment requirements to be eligible for on-campus student employment. Applicants must be enrolled in a UA degree program and meet minimum credit hour requirements during the academic year: Undergraduate Students must be registered for at least 6 credit hours during fall/spring semesters; Graduate Students must be registered for at least 4.5 credit hours during fall/spring semesters; International Students must be registered full-time (Undergraduate = 12 credit hours, Graduate = 9 credit hours) during fall/spring semesters. Enrollment requirements must be maintained for the duration of on-campus employment. Individual hiring departments and programs may also have additional eligibility requirements for employment.

Background Investigation Statement: Prior to hiring the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction before a hiring decision is made.

Equal Employment Opportunity: The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants to and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. Follow the link below to find out more. “EEO is the Law.”

Applications for the sought-after internships at The Tuscaloosa News are now open. The deadline for applications to be received by Dan Meissner, News Media Internship Coordinator in the Department of Journalism and Creative Media, is November 10.

Print a copy of this information, pick up a copy in Room 490 Phifer Hall or from Prof. Dan Meissner, 486C Phifer Hall.

Below is a checklist of items students must submit in order to apply for a Journalism & Creative Media Department coordinated internship at The Tuscaloosa News. Students must have a 2.5 grade point average overall, have completed JN 311 (JCM303) News Writing and Reporting with a qualifying grade and have completed 45 hours of college work before taking this course. Student should be a major or minor in the Department of Journalism & Creative Media.

the area(s) in which you desire to work (more areas improve chances but be willing to accept any for which you apply)

your experience and qualifications

Your letter should be formatted as a professional business letter.
Do not send the letter to the News; submit it and your other material to Prof. Meissner through the Journalism & Creative Media Department.

___ Your current resume

___ Several (3-5) examples of your journalistic work. If you have professional or student publication clips, submit these. If you do not have published work, submit outstanding examples from class assignments.

All the above items should be submitted to the department no later than November 10, 2017 – preferably sooner. We will check the applications and forward those that are eligible to The Tuscaloosa News for review.

IF ACCEPTED, you will be expected to meet with your supervisor to discuss your schedule and job assignments and submit the following items to the Journalism & Creative Media Department.

— Completed Student Information Form

— Completed Supervisor Information Form

After these items are received, you will be given an override to register for the internship class, JN/JCM382. When registering, be careful to select the proper number of hours from the credit hour box. You cannot register until approved. Contact Dan Meissner, News Media Internship Coordinator, for more information: dmeissner@ua.edu.

2018 Internship Opportunities at The Tuscaloosa News
for U of A Journalism & Creative Media Students

Purpose and conditions:

The Tuscaloosa News offers opportunities for University of Alabama students to work in the newsroom on supervised projects that will better prepare them for jobs in journalism upon their graduation. These projects will also benefit the operations of The Tuscaloosa News.

Student interns must be enrolled in the internship course to participate in an internship at The Tuscaloosa News. UA Journalism & Creative Media students must have completed JN311-News Writing and Reporting with a qualifying grade, have maintained a 2.5 grade point average and have successfully completed at least 45 credit hours. The Tuscaloosa News will not assume workplace liability for students or provide any employer benefits. Students who are working outside the newspaper office must provide their own transportation and provide a photocopy of a valid driver’s license and proof of automobile insurance. Interns must sign a standard intern contract that sets out the expectations conditions of the internship. Students successfully completing the internship will receive a stipend of $250 paid through their university account to assist in internship expenses such as gas, etc. Credit hours to be received should be determined in consultation with the internship coordinator in the UA Department of Journalism & Creative Media. Students are responsible for tuition costs for credit received.

The Tuscaloosa News agrees to provide a focused experience for students who will work with a supervisor on staff. The supervisor will evaluate the student’s work on a continuing basis through the semester, and provide written assessments at the midpoint of the term and at the end.

Students must submit their internship application, a letter of application indicatinginternship areas of interest, copies of past journalistic work and any other required materials through the UA Department of Journalism & Creative Media Department. The department will screen applications to verify academic eligibility and forward them to The Tuscaloosa News for review. Applicants may be asked to interview with representatives from the newspaper.

Important Note: Students generally work an average of 12 to 20 hours per week when interning during spring and fall semesters and 15 to 30 hours (or more) during the 10-week summer term. Working fewer hours may not provide for enough supervisor contact and work time to provide the continuity necessary for a beneficial learning experience for the student and for The Tuscaloosa News. Students will work a schedule at The Tuscaloosa News that will be flexible and developed around the student’s class schedule.

University of Alabama Journalism & Creative Media students should submit their applications to Dan Meissner, in the Department of Journalism & Creative Media. Application information is available in the department office (Phifer Room 490), at www.jnews.ua.edu, or from Prof. Dan Meissner, dmeissner@ua.edu. Course forms for registration in JN382 will be provided to accepted applicants.

Internship Opportunities Include:

General Assignment ReportingThe student(s) will write a general assignment stories, feature stories and cover events throughout the community. Interns will also have an opportunity to suggest story ideas.

Sports ReportingThe student(s) may cover a variety of sports-related high school events, local college and community college events, write sports features and take calls for game reports.

Multi-media Copy Editing / Digital Content (News or Sports departments)The student(s) will edit print stories, rewrite stories, compile and post multimedia news and feature content and upload material to the design production system. Students who come with knowledge of design techniques also may also assist in online design.

Social MediaThe student(s) will promote online awareness through a variety of social media applications. Updating information channels throughout the day and creating community awareness of information in a coordinated manner will be paramount, as will developing web and other visual content, as appropriate.

Photographer and/or videographerThe student(s) will work with staff photographers learning the day to day aspects of community visual journalism. Students will be able to shoot photographs of community events, prep sports and standalone feature photos for use in print and on the website. Students may produce video for use on websites and may also be asked to assist on larger scale shoots such as fashion and architectural shoots for Tuscaloosa Magazine.

Tuscaloosa MagazineThe student will assist in the planning and organizing the production of the periodic full-color magazine. Duties may include a variety of functions depending on the intern’s skills and the production cycle of the magazine at the time of the internship. (Normally offered only to returning interns.)

Database ReporterThe student(s) will collect information from public sources, mostly government offices, for lists that run in print and databases that can be referenced online. These include restaurant ratings, building permits, business licenses, marriage licenses, and court records. For students with appropriate skills, there is an opportunity for innovative Web development of online tools.

Biographical and Photographic ArchivistThe student(s) may collect biographical files on prominent members of the community using the newspaper’s archives and other sources, organize historical material and scan and organize photographs from the newspaper’s archives so they can be easily referenced in digital format.

Shelby County Newspapers, Inc., a media company that publishes award-winning newspapers, magazines and websites in Alabama’s most prosperous and fastest-growing county, is seeking two general assignment reporters.

This position includes general assignment reporting, feature writing and some photography. Quality of life here is as good as it gets and opportunity for advancement—with our company and others— is nearly limitless.

JN382/JCM382 InternshipTuscaloosa News Internship Checklist

Below is a checklist of items students must submit in order to apply for a Journalism & Creative Media Department coordinated internship at The Tuscaloosa News. Students must have a 2.5 grade point average overall, have completed JN 311 (JCM303) News Writing and Reporting with a qualifying grade and have completed 45 hours of college work before taking this course. A student should be a major or minor in the Department of Journalism & Creative Media. Continue reading Applications now open for SUMMER & FALL 2017 Tuscaloosa News Internships